Dateline: April 1st 2013 Luang Prabang, Laos
After 35 hours of travel, this is wonderful
Have no idea what we will do next, so
we leave Malees Monday, probably for Laos. Real Colonel Kurtz country apparently, slow boat down the Mekong
Somehow, life goes on
Love
Us
Have no idea what we will do next, so
we leave Malees Monday, probably for Laos. Real Colonel Kurtz country apparently, slow boat down the Mekong
Somehow, life goes on
Love
Us
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| I know, just typical tourist rubbish, but bet that you are pretty envious huh? |
March 19th. (Day 0). To Pearson airport. The flight is scheduled for 23:55. We go wild and upgraded to "Premium Economy" for $Don't Ask! This upgrade left us well rested and happy to discover the limited facilities of Hong Kong airport. We both agree that this is (at least), the way to travel
March 21st. 2013: Day 2. Welcome to my haphazard attempt to set up our pix of South East Asian travel, and hopefully not travails....So, within the limits of my talents and abilities, which I still occasionally swear at, here goes.
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| We arrived in Hong Kong about 5:30AM YYZ to HKG Our very first upgrade, but only to premium economy We decided that on a 14 hour flight, we deserved it, were worth it, or whatever you need to rationalise it at |
We arrive at 05:30 local, but the "international" airport only opens at 07:30. Coffees and croissants have to wait. Our flight is leaving at 17:30. Although it is only 12 hours or so wait, it feels like days and days before we board again. We have had a totally not enjoyable day in Hong Kong airport
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| Cathay Pacific does a pretty good seat if you are not in economy. Complete with Chinese breakfast This is congee. Disgusting |
Even the Chinese restaurant eventually open up. We are both more than content with the prospects of our new diets over here
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| Our plane finally arrives, and we, eventually, departed to Chiang Mai |
Evening approaches in Hong Kong airport after what feels like a whole vacation later, we are finally off to Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand
March 22nd. 2013: Day 3. Chiang Doa. Wow! Melees "Nature Lovers Paradise". We arrive at 22:30 after a 2 hours drive North of Chiang Mai to Chiang Dao. Here is The restaurant. Not the natural paradise of the haze (aka smoke) even at 10:30am
I have organised a taxi to transport us from Chiang Mai airport, to the hostel/ home stay/ wonderful hang out about 60Km north of Chiang Mai. It's a songthaew. A big open backed pickup truck. It's cold and uncomfortable, but around 10:30pm, local time, we finally have a bed for a few days
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| We arrived at Melees "Nature Lovers Paradise" at around 10PM local time. Absolutely knackered Maybe |
March 22nd. 2013: Day 3. Chiang Doa. Wow! Melees "Nature Lovers Paradise". We arrive at 22:30 after a 2 hours drive North of Chiang Mai to Chiang Dao. Here is The restaurant. Not the natural paradise of the haze (aka smoke) even at 10:30am
To be honest, it was a perfect place to decompress after 35 hours of travel, and 13 hours time difference (11 actually, but we are now a day ahead here)
Its really quite sad, but needs must I guess. Every place we stay in or go to has masses of beautiful teak wood which is obviously no longer in the forests
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| Honeymoon Cottage #7 |
"Honeymoon Cottage #7" Daily high: 35C
March 23rd: Day 4: We rent bikes and head off Chiang Doa - the local town. Here we discover that the Thais idea of coffee is not ours
Chaing Doa caves. The whole area is limestone. Massive mountains, and deep caves all over
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| Chaing Doa caves is a complex of temples and carvings. Buddha is big here |
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| We have decompressed our jetlag and have rented bikes |
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| We bike into the local town and indulge in coffees Everything is so massively different here |
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| It takes a while to realise that every home, garden, business etc, has some for of shrine |
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| As we eventually realised, these are pretty downmarket compared to big Wats |
Everyone (mostly) has a shrine or two. These ones are in the garden. New.
Here's a typical northern Thailand street scene. Yep, not much happening here
These pix are smart enough to show when it was taken, where and the various colour saturations etc, but it does not tell you the weather. Bloody hot, about 38C and getting pretty humid. Its still snowing back home
Here's a typical northern Thailand street scene. Yep, not much happening here
These pix are smart enough to show when it was taken, where and the various colour saturations etc, but it does not tell you the weather. Bloody hot, about 38C and getting pretty humid. Its still snowing back home
The culture is very Buddhists. Everyone (mostly) has a shrine or two. These ones are in the garden. New.
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| Nothing wrong with a sacred idol here and there |
The caves area - yes there are Wats (Temples) everywhere, and various stages of Buddha's thought processes are everywhere too. Can you spot the pollution?
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| Naga's. A common sight throughout our trip |
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| This is not a tourist area, which is great for us Note disgusting haze |
These are all "Naga's" apparently. This is your project: find out what all of this stuff means. I can't be bothered either
Our chef prepares a "Papaya Salad". Bloody delicious. We're still not sure what's in it, but definitely no Papaya (as we know it anyway) Ed. Well, actually, yes, mostly papaya
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| Our never to be forgotten first papaya salad |
It seems to be cheaper to eat out here than buy stuff. Everyone eats out - its an amazing social event for the community. These cheap restaurants are everywhere.
Trust me, it tastes much better than it looks, and yes, we are definitely having a good time
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| First papaya salad. Always one of the best |
Trust me, it tastes much better than it looks, and yes, we are definitely having a good time
I made the mistake (as I eventually discovered) of buying Thai currency from the bank.
BIG mistake! The bank charges 10%, so all prices should be less 10%. Don't buy this at home folks
(Use local ATM's with a non FX card)
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| Just vegging out (get it?) until we are cogent again |
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| My reckoning is 1 day where we land for every 2 hours of time zone |
As Melee, our hostess is out for all our stay, we head down to "Chiang Doa Nest2". Some great food, and a super smoothie of sorts
These Thai folks really know how to cook, and cheap too! This meal was about $20 for a full 4 course super stuff out nosh. Compared to the cave food, which was about $3
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| Our Mahout for about an hour |
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| It was indeed pretty touristy, but as I occasionally say |
Our Mahout. We sit on a bench in a kinda saddle basket
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| HEY! we are tourists |
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| I can guarantee that it's better than Florida Your mileage may vary |
I'll tell ya, this is a lot more comfortable than riding an African Elephant!
Well, the elephants are at least still alive. As their natural environment diminishes, and logging is automated or banned, their only hope is to become a tourist attraction. We played our part in preserving the species. At the missus insistence, we buy a bunch of bananas, and a fag for our driver
Now the bullock cart: even the tourists want to get into the action
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| They all seem to have fun, but don't forget to tip everyone! |
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| It's a bit like "Wagon Train" with all the carts |
In the spirit of Constable, brought to you by bus loads of tourists without the little boy with his sheep. Note dreadful haze. Its caused by burning last years leftovers from harvests before the rains arrive
Grand Central. All change for the Elephant show!
Who could resist a sweet talker like this one? No, I refused to pay for it by giving this guy a rolled up bank note, I know, heartless tourist looking for cheap lines
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| Well, this is exactly what we have come for |
Grand Central. All change for the Elephant show!
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| After a bullock cart ride, it's time for, what else |
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| I guess this is the main event. Elephants performing |
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| Caption |
Cute stuff
An African elephant would probably not leave it at that
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| This is what they used to do, but seems like they've run out of forests, so lets just practice for a bit |
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| I eventually realised that they do not get paid but live on the tips tourists give them I still feel total guilt about the little I gave them |
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| I still regret not tipping these folks more |
Well, we were sorta enjoying the trip, but it did go on for quite a times - more to come
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| Quite captivating in a British Raj kind of way |
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| Evening smog and smoke herald the end to a perfect days being a tourist |
These guys are not as unpredictable as their African cousins, so we feel quite at ease here
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| This is a Thai bus station. It's immaculate! |
March 25th: Day 6. We consider ourselves de jet lagged, and travellers in the true sense of the word again........
Complete with its own shrine and everything totally clean (toilets cost $0.15). We are heading of to Chiang Rai, but a fairly unconventional route (Hah! read on!) As ever on the road, we me a Belgian couple at Melee's who told us about a fun trip if we head North. No problemo.
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| Your mind on drugs on a local bus Heading to Mai Ai with our fellow guests for the dragon boat to Chiang Rai |
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| Sometimes I feel that suitcases are not the best option on some of our travels |
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| Our next trip in a "long tail" boat at Tha Ton. Chiang Rai, 4 hours straight ahead |
We are off, following the boss a few seconds ahead. Probable notching up 15 knots here
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| Not my idea of "life", but then, what is?. |
This "captain" must be a novice as he was following another guy, but we still got stuck on a sandbar and had to get out and push ourselves off. Mind you, I prefered to do it here than in the Zambezi where we had to watch out for crocs and hippos....
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| This trip is working out to be even better than I'd hoped |
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| View from a Tuk Tuk. The wife's knees are totally shot |
They are fun. And smelly, and loud, and would never be certified for any kind of passenger transport most places. BUT! Very cheap
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| Chiang Rai. I loved it here |
On our way (in the Tuk Tuk) to Wat Phra Keuw, passing the day market. due to the excessive heat during the day, you get day markets (about 5:00AM to 10:00AM ish) and Night markets, typically from 6:00PM till late, maybe 23:00, usually different places and stuff. Fruit & veg in the morning, food and cheap Chinese rip offs at night, plus various tourist stuff depending on the location
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| Wat Phra Keuw |
Once you are off the boat
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| I guess that the amount of money put into Wat's is similar to what used to go to Catholic churches. Like, lots |
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| Wat a lot U got a lot of Wat |
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| Probably Wat Phra Sing, Chiang Rai |
was our first Wat, it sounded good at the time
Another god like structure.
Note beer belly on said God, and friend
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| They are pretty devout in Thailand All generations take it as a given |
This Buddha thing seems to have a lot going for it. Even the kids don't seem to object. Apparently, the Jade used in this dude, is specially imported from, yes, Canada
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| It really is all encompassing, but it certainly appears to hold the fabric of society together |
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| Another Wat, Wat Phra Sing |
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| Some of the local myths and legends adorn the walls of this one |
No expense is spared here. It's a bit like Catholic churches during the reformation.
Did somebody say there's a virgin around here?
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| Definitely in the style of Rousseau. |
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| Looks like Shiva sorting out a bunch of illegals I guess no one wants immigrants |
Noble beast (the ones with the gnashing teeth), et al
Which way to a coffee shop?
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| I believe these are direction to your next, better life |
Ah! here's one. Great iced coffee, and snacks here
Bring it on dude! |
| Relaxing at Wat Kliang Wiang Note toes (not the Buddhas) |
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| Tourists are certainly catered for here. Great iced coffees |
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| I was just so amazed that this hole in the wall cafe was in fact a really great place to eat |
Ah yes, of no particular interest except this is literally less than a little shack, 100 metres from our hotel (Baan Malai - highly recommended at about $25.00/ night), and the food, quite edible, with no after effects at all, was about $1.50, in fact the beer cost more, about $2.00. Did I mention it was hot here?
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| Chiang Rai's night life. In the central square, all food, beer and entertainment |
The Night Market, and a huge open air square where everyone seems to come to eat
About 100 metres of store fronts on two sides
Massive amount of stall, nothing I'd recognise but lots of people had it.
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| I don't recognise a lot of this stuff |
Massive amount of stall, nothing I'd recognise but lots of people had it.
Turned out to be a soup mix and made it into a soup on their tables with your own heater
Ilge has taken to bed, so I'm Canada's representative.
It's about 9PM, so I'm able to chat and send pix to my mate Andrei working at one of my clients
Definitely cruel and unusual punishment
We have a great time in Chaing Rai, and, just like before, we have recommendation for the river boat from Chiang Kong to Luang Probang
We have a great time in Chaing Rai, and, just like before, we have recommendation for the river boat from Chiang Kong to Luang Probang
Just to say "we're heading down the Mekong to Luang Probang" made it all worth it
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| Our view from Namkhong Riverside Hotel |
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| Eating out at the local tourist hot spot in Chiang Khon |
EXACTLY on time, to Chiang Khong on the Lao border.
We arrive at this Riverside Hotel, adequate food, and a REALLY hard bed. Which as we found out in Laos, we needed to get used to. Laos over there though the haze
We did get this great view though, and a balcony, including all you can breath pollution
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| The waiters were very attentive, but the chef obviously had the night off |
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| Breakfast before our ferry over to Laos |
March 28th; Day 9. Breakfast before our leap into the unknown over the haze and smog infested river. Laos begins from the next shot...
LAOS
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| Departure to the other side of the Mekong |
March 28th: Day 9. This is your captain speaking. Please adjust your seats to the upright position, put
your trays back, and stow all loose baggage in the compartments overhead, or underneath, or maybe on top of the guy sitting in front of you, or by the pig in the back
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| Immigration. Chaos |
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| Note fees, especially Canadian ones |
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Our potential home for the 2 day trip |
Dragon boats. Two days of transport to Luang Prabang
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| We'll keep the red flag flying here. |
Un believable. The tour guide was a racist cadre pig. A total throwback to the revolutionary 60's
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| After being harangued for about an hour, we were allowed on board to the seat number we had been given |
Finally, after an hours speech, and no useful information, the happy band is seated, and we are on our way
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| As soon as we cast off, and Cadre Jerk is gone We all settle where ewe want to |
Relaxing, boring, ahah! just you wait and see.,...
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| And start to actually enjoy the trip Note obvious signs of heat, like large bottle of beer |
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| About 2 hours out, the (new?) skipper ran straight into a solid lump of rock at about 15+ knots (the current must have been 8 - 10) |
Without power, the boat then got caught by the current (maybe 8 - 10 knots) and with the bows still seemingly stuck near the rock, drifted so the middle of the boat became lodged on an island in the middle of the river.
The boat, now across most of the actual river stream appeared equally balanced, and just remained stuck pretty much amidships
Please note how everyone has been provided with a lifejacket.
Several people were hurt. None badly though.
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| Amazingly, only one crew was hurt. Some blood If there had been another boat doing 15 knots behind us there would have been many dead |
I kept my beer, and abandon ship with everyone else, onto this island in the middle of the river. We hit a rock on the left bank with the prow (pix later),
Rock over to the right, island beneath. About 100 of us in various states of shock, bruised, bleeding and sucking their beers me and another guy). Check out the current from under their boat. The other half is off to the left.
I honestly thought it might crack in two
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| Eventually, after maybe 20 - 30 minute the other boat has powered us off of the rock, and the crew has the motor running again We all re embark |
You really needed sandals to walk on this stuff, very sharp limestone I think. Funnily enough, we were still within Thai cell coverage, so I was relaying this via gchat to her as it was happening: she had gone to bed...
Finally, I assume the real captain got it together, and came back to pick us all up.
Shaken, but not stirred. We are again back in a boat about 100 metres long, with a crew proven to be incompetent. Hmmm.
Here's my running commentary on our Dragon Boat mishap with a large piece of riverbank, live:
Still have cell coverage, so here's a running commentary.
Cruising down the Mekong in northern Laos heading from Chiang Kuong to
Luang Prabang with the statuary beer in my hand. Its about 39 in the
shade, and totally polluted with visibility through the haze at no
more than 1 kilometre (yes really!)
Most people are beginning to snooze in the heat. Its 7 hours till we
stop for the night, then another days travel
Apparently there are no working roads in northern Laos, so we either
river or fly or both. We will fly to Vientiane
Thailand was fantastic. We'll be heading back via Vientiane in a week or 2
Maybe Burma, definitely Cambodia and Vietnam and Hong Kong before we
head home to "plan" our next trip(s)
Kayla arrives Ho Chi Minh May 3rd, and we do Vietnam together for 3 weeks ish.
Somehow we struggle and get by.
Hah! Just as I was going to send, we hit, as in totally smashed into,
a rock and had to abandon the boat when it drifted onto a rocky island
(see below), for half an hour (once again, yes! really). Hardly any
panic as we abandoned ship.
A few bruises and some blood (but not mine, some bruises for the
missus), but the crew managed to get the boat off the rock we got
stuck on, eventually, maybe 15 minutes later and we headed off again,
complete with a few frightened grannies, and as it turned out, some
even more impressionable travellers (yes, really!)
Who said adventure is dead?
Ok, looks like this is now almost a blog as we are now in said Luang
Prabang, once again as monotony would have it, with a beer in my hand
Cruising down the Mekong in northern Laos heading from Chiang Kuong to
Luang Prabang with the statuary beer in my hand. Its about 39 in the
shade, and totally polluted with visibility through the haze at no
more than 1 kilometre (yes really!)
Most people are beginning to snooze in the heat. Its 7 hours till we
stop for the night, then another days travel
Apparently there are no working roads in northern Laos, so we either
river or fly or both. We will fly to Vientiane
Thailand was fantastic. We'll be heading back via Vientiane in a week or 2
Maybe Burma, definitely Cambodia and Vietnam and Hong Kong before we
head home to "plan" our next trip(s)
Kayla arrives Ho Chi Minh May 3rd, and we do Vietnam together for 3 weeks ish.
Somehow we struggle and get by.
Hah! Just as I was going to send, we hit, as in totally smashed into,
a rock and had to abandon the boat when it drifted onto a rocky island
(see below), for half an hour (once again, yes! really). Hardly any
panic as we abandoned ship.
A few bruises and some blood (but not mine, some bruises for the
missus), but the crew managed to get the boat off the rock we got
stuck on, eventually, maybe 15 minutes later and we headed off again,
complete with a few frightened grannies, and as it turned out, some
even more impressionable travellers (yes, really!)
Who said adventure is dead?
Ok, looks like this is now almost a blog as we are now in said Luang
Prabang, once again as monotony would have it, with a beer in my hand
From there on, whenever the engine note strayed from its usual hum, everyone involuntarily twitched and looked to the front to prepare for evasive action again
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| We stop at a mud bank while the captain seeks advice from Starfleet command. |
Not really bent out of shape prow. Surprising as that's a lot of inertia to suddenly stop
That's a lot of bruises!
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| Caption |
Apparently, only a few months ago, you needed to bring a pillow for the wooden benches. Now, apparently, we have the luxury cruise
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| The current is significantly less here We prepare for an evening searching for a place to stay |
Pretty in a hazy, hot, humid sweaty booze soaked porter kind of way
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| The locals treat tourists on these boats as their gravy train. I had to physically fight with a drunk to keep our suitcase. We also got totally ripped off for morning transport |
March 29th, Day 10. After working out that Ilge was dangerously dehydrated (she hadn't drunk much all day on board, probably because the on board washroom was a ole in the floor (these things happen). Luckily, I guessed that here headache and lethargy was a severe need of water, and provided the magic potion for life. A few more hours and her organs would have started complaining.
Then, a relatively peaceful night in Pak Beng, getting to the boat is quite a trek
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| I never did work out what these were I assume something the locals eat |
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| We have changed boats (hence, also crew) It's a lot less exciting in the lower stretches |
About 10 Germans, 4 Dutch, a few Icelanders, us Canadians, 4 - 5 Brits, couple US that we met and spoke to. As crazy as it sounds, these guys were all so much into video games that they had competitions to spot the various theme tunes to their favourite games by whistling. But, from there, they exchanged strategies, what levels they have got on various games, and the guy on the right then got his own game tablet out and showed everyone the latest hot game.......
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| A stop on route, maybe to pick up a whole pile of trash? Apparently not. |
Sigh. It really is very depressing, at least for me.
Had a long discussion with one of the US guys. A bit more open to the world, but they still have some ways to go....
We have a new crew for day 2. We are all still a bit leery about these things. 11:30 and shrouded in haze smoke and soot
We have a new crew for day 2. We are all still a bit leery about these things. 11:30 and shrouded in haze smoke and soot
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| Well, this is the local bus after all, so everything is fair game |
Don't want your crap, so off it all comes off of the roof
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| This is the engine. If this fails, you are fucked! |
Note all the safety grills and protective barriers all around it
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| On board snacks and drinks Have no idea where I got cash from |
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| Moto central? Just passing by |
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| Groan! More soot than you can shake a hard boiled egg at |
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| We arrive at Luang Prabang past sunset. I have not researched, let alone booked any place I luck out just wandering around local hotels. This one was a great place to observe the world from |
March 30th, Day 11. Luang Prabang. We hang out in a ground floor room at the Villa Champa. As you can see, from out garden, we get a grand central view of the monks passing through town picking up food from the population. I call it the Alms Race.....
We did not even know it was here, just looked out of our window
There were probably about 70, possibly, all from one Wat,
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| This is directly in front of our hotel room out in our garden |
There were probably about 70, possibly, all from one Wat,
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| Our local cafe. Our hotel, just up to the right |
I have chosen the "no breakfast" option, so we are over the road for our first Lao grub.
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Note huge chunks of teak everywhere |
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| We are on the begging highway. Every day, first thing These guys have been up chanting since around 4:30 |
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| This is the end of the road, as it were for food handouts to the monks who officially at least, can have no money. |
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| We are located at the end of the donating line. |
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| Here are all the basket cases that need food from the monks, theoretically, to survive. A reverse charity I guess. |
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| Some are probably violating their visa restrictions |
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| Back on the local Wat trail: Wat Xieng Thong. |
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| Local farmlands below, and local and countrywide smog |
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| It's about 34 and very humid. On the bright side, it's fantastic here Most of the restaurants here are on the river bank The Mekong |
Well, after Thailand, the money, glitz and sheer pride in their temples, this is a bit less than slick. It looks like the Lao of the Revolution pretty much destroyed most religious atifacts and sent the population off to discover Marks & Lenin. Without much success I may add. There is a move to improve these aging tired relics (as in an entry fee for all such buildings), but you can't hide the decades of degradation, and I assume, official neglect. Tired buildings, grey, weather stained concrete, cheap artifacts, pretty much all from the 60's onward, although there does not appear to be much ancient stuff around, what is is a sad whisper of days long past.
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| Apparently, this was part of the royal treasures until come the revolution etc |
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| Wat Xiengthong Some of the previous owners paraphanalia I guess. Naga's |
You have a younger sister at home?
That way to Naga Naga land?
Bennetons, Luang Prabang. Much heralded by Lonely Planet, therefore full of westerners looking for the perfect Lao Latte (it wasn't, I thought it was one of the worst of the trip). Note Tuk Tuks. You are into tourist country here
Its the most humid part of the day, wifee retires to the relaxation of air con, I head back to the Royal Palace that has another Wat. Earlier, we have done the Royal Palace. (No photos allowed) Well, lets not gloss over it. At least here in the palace, you get some idea of the chaos that went on during the revolutionary years. My favourite "exhibit" in the palace was a Grundig Stereo circa 1958, entitle, "From Germany". A pile of equally sad exhibits, including the "Royal Car Collection" which was an old Ford Edsel (what else would they do with it?), a 40 year old Citroen and a tiny motorboat, and a 78 RPM gramophone player that included "some records in Lao" Hmmm. Very Impressive.
Get the idea? Me too. We slept through the next mornings parade
After the show, I decide to tackle Phu Si, the local hillock overlooking the Royal Palace, with of course, a Wat at the top. At 07:15, this is the view. My eyes actually stung from the smog up here. The airport is just 3 Km away, and you can only see this end of the runway. That's it! lets go, this really is awful. Viewing this again, I can still smell and feel the soot in my eyes and nose. Ugh!
Doorway with view to the Lao quarter, and local smog, courtesy farmers from as far away as Burma
It seems to be kept functional. All for $0.30 entrance fee (for tourists)
3, 4, 5 or more. Note morning sun light. This, Just for the record folks
AND, it's all cheap concrete with gold paint, some of it already chipping and falling apart (wow, my eyes are watering up as I remember it)
Which one's the big dude?
April 1st, Day 13: Here we go, the Day Market. Be prepared for some fun stuff here
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| Part of Luang Prabang where this monastery is located, is on an isthmus of the Mekong and the Nam Khan tributary |
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| Assume pose of the Lanaa Buddha? Not quite. Hokee Kokee Buddha? |
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| There were very few tourists here. No idea why... |
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| This is the Monks daily route. Supplicants, (for a prayer?) are lined up to supply daily victuals to the robed throng |
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| Oh God! Bliss is thy name oh Coconut. About $1.00, view free. Bloody hot, soot no extra charge |
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| The French were the colonial masters here for a huge amount of time Hence, a Boulangerie in town. Le Benetton cafe Margarine croissants. Ugh! |
Bennetons, Luang Prabang. Much heralded by Lonely Planet, therefore full of westerners looking for the perfect Lao Latte (it wasn't, I thought it was one of the worst of the trip). Note Tuk Tuks. You are into tourist country here
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| Haw Pha Bang Go figure |
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| A novice monk with iPhone No, I saw the Buddha App. It's here somewhere |
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| Of course, all these gifts to various deities etc, do tend to feed the local rat population |
Totally tourist street scene. Mad dog & Englishmen time of day, yes, about 38C
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| I guess that even way back then, Girls just wanted to have fun |
Offerings include pop, peanuts, flowers, incense is always in fashion
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| Warning! More Wats ahead |
The Royal Palace, Wat old boy?
Totally tourist street scene. Mad dog & Englishmen time of day, yes, about 38C
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| Earlier this day, I saw two Kiwi's on a motor bike, putting on all their leathers It was over 36 degrees. No wonder I'm sweating |
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| The "Royal Palace" More like a down and out hostel |
Papaya salad, a "real" Lao one, un bearably hot, Kayla will love it. Full of red chilli pepper seeds. I just coped. About $1.50 - this is a tourist city after all
Looks like this salad was a two coconut heat alert
Back of the Royal Palace. More like how the Lao have to live. Note ubiquitous moped. Typically 2 stroke which means it is incredibly polluting. Most families have one. Personally, I think of it as a kind of contraceptive, if you can't get all your family onto one, don't have any more kids
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| Everyone grabs some relief after sunset At night, the action begins |
Luang Prabang night market. At least it cools down a bit
As it's a tourist place, its full (almost a kilometer) of tourist stuff. Some quite nice
March 31st, Day 12: Luang Prabang pre monks on the street. It's quite a tourist trap now, dozens of Tuk Tuk's, and a whole multitude of open vans, as here on the right for the tour busses. This is at 06:15
Back at the pad. I stopped in at the Scandinavian bakery for 2 chocolate croissants. Got back, just as the show was winding up
Yep. These tourists are looking for a hand out from the monks. Actually, quite accepted as an act of charity, but tourists? Well, really
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| Phousi Hill. Another sacred site More sacred soot |
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| At the top of the hill, this is the view of the airport. It's only a kilometer away, but I can't see it It's definitely too life threatening to carry on breathing here. At 7:30AM, it's 33C |
After the show, I decide to tackle Phu Si, the local hillock overlooking the Royal Palace, with of course, a Wat at the top. At 07:15, this is the view. My eyes actually stung from the smog up here. The airport is just 3 Km away, and you can only see this end of the runway. That's it! lets go, this really is awful. Viewing this again, I can still smell and feel the soot in my eyes and nose. Ugh!
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| There's 2 or 3 Buddha's for every day of the year |
Doorway with view to the Lao quarter, and local smog, courtesy farmers from as far away as Burma
It seems to be kept functional. All for $0.30 entrance fee (for tourists)
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| Very pretty in the (hazy) morning light |
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| Hey guys. Listen up and get with the enlightenment |
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| I had one of these. I think it was a Tuesday |
Thats Private Buddha to you. I know, they start to blend together huh?
Sorry, I'm not going to wait two more days mate. I've decided to leave tomorrow
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| This is how the masses live And their chickens |
More of how the Lao live. There's some chickens in there. Eggs certainly appear to be everywhere here
I've had complaints about the missus looking a little unsure as to whether she wants to be here (in Laos, with me, in the heat?) Hence the teeth to help banish such rumours. Yes, the drink: Lemon mint smoothie. Try it. Amazingly refreshing.
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| There were about 3 of our favourite restaurants along the river |
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| I've booked a flight to Vientiane It's about 40 minutes. 14 hours on a bus |
Wat Souvanapoumra (or some such). As a student of Lao history, this is named after the last crowned prince. Hence, its cheap to get into, and even more run down than the other sorry Wats
No doubt acid rain and the local smog (you can imagine how much) has a lot to do with these blackened pillars
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| The Nam Khan which joins the Mekong just around the next bend |
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| It was a bit stinky down here, but pretty extensive |
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| It certainly smelt even better than one of my stir fries |
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| I'm not sure how long this stuff lasts in these temperatures. Looks like vegetarian tonight |
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| If you can still see through your tear streaming burning eyes, this is a great view |
Our favourite cafe in Luang Prabang, pix masquarding as art
We are having a sweepstake (hah!).
Whoever counts the correct number of flies in the pix,
gets a steak dinner for 2
Our favourite past time. OK, my second favourite past time. These papaya are as good as the ones we used to have in Nairobi.
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| Our last day in Luang Prabang |
Lots of limes of course
And we are off to Vientiane
Ok, looks like this is now almost a blog as we are now in said Luang Prabang, once again as monotony would have it, with a beer in my hand
My (totally false) apologies for sending full size pix. I cant find an app to resize them. Deal with it.
Ho hum
Are you bored yet?
Respondees will receive even more
Happy working stiff and / or retirement days to all
Jim et all
PS, these pix have full GPS details inside them. Use a good browser and you can Google earth where we are / were
Ciao
My (totally false) apologies for sending full size pix. I cant find an app to resize them. Deal with it.
Ho hum
Are you bored yet?
Respondees will receive even more
Happy working stiff and / or retirement days to all
Jim et all
PS, these pix have full GPS details inside them. Use a good browser and you can Google earth where we are / were
Ciao
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